thinking of moving to one of scotish islands

ReapersSideKick · 2026-07-24T11:16:26+00:00

i live on main land scotland i own my own home and considering relocating to one of scottish islands i know theres negatives as well as positives im curious if anybody else has done this and theyre experience has been

Original poster

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 13:49

ChapmanFarm · 26/07/2026 09:02

What are you trying to achieve with the move? What do you want that you don't have now?

I don't have the totally bleak Mumsnet attitude to this but equally when someone just says 'an island' it's a red flag. I'd seriously consider Orkney for example but even then living in Kirkwall is very different to Papa Westray.

To make a big move always run to something and not away from something.

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peace being able to live my life wthout being watched gossiped about and being made to feel like a piece of dirt thanks for resposes but as some posts are getting nasty im going to stip responding

OP posts:

Original poster

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 13:46

zurigo · 26/07/2026 09:38

TBH OP it sounds like you will take the drama wherever you go. Most of us have never had people gossiping about us, so why do you think that has happened to you where you live now? Before you go and move to a remote community I think a bit of soul-searching might be in order.

The most anonymous place to live is in a big city. In a small, rural community there is nowhere to hide and people have to be not only self-sufficient, but also community-minded. You will need to build relationships with your neighbours on a small island and you won't just be left to your own devices. There was a really good TV series about Britain's islands called 'Our Tiny Islands' on C4. Series 1 episode 1 is about Fair Isle - you should watch it. It's very eye-opening about the reality of living on a small Scottish island and how everyone in the community has a role to play - some of them many roles - and how when new people move there it's essential that they realise that they will be required to participate in community life. They really don't want people who just want to be hermits. Series 1 episode 3 is about Eriskay - another Scottish island https://www.channel4.com/programmes/our-tiny-islands

Edited

thats basicilly blaming the person whose getting bullied putting the blame on them because of that response heres hoping you go through something similar after having done nothing and itll open your eyes a bit

OP posts:

CurdinHenry · 26/07/2026 11:39

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 08:24

its nt the strugglingvto fit in that bothers me is that people cant live and let live i have no quality of life here

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In the countryside, and especially in an island community, your business will be everyone's business.

Glowglowdancer · 26/07/2026 11:23

You should move to glasgow

zurigo · 26/07/2026 09:38

TBH OP it sounds like you will take the drama wherever you go. Most of us have never had people gossiping about us, so why do you think that has happened to you where you live now? Before you go and move to a remote community I think a bit of soul-searching might be in order.

The most anonymous place to live is in a big city. In a small, rural community there is nowhere to hide and people have to be not only self-sufficient, but also community-minded. You will need to build relationships with your neighbours on a small island and you won't just be left to your own devices. There was a really good TV series about Britain's islands called 'Our Tiny Islands' on C4. Series 1 episode 1 is about Fair Isle - you should watch it. It's very eye-opening about the reality of living on a small Scottish island and how everyone in the community has a role to play - some of them many roles - and how when new people move there it's essential that they realise that they will be required to participate in community life. They really don't want people who just want to be hermits. Series 1 episode 3 is about Eriskay - another Scottish island https://www.channel4.com/programmes/our-tiny-islands

ChapmanFarm · 26/07/2026 09:02

ReapersSideKick · 25/07/2026 22:36

maybe my best option is too look into moving somewhereelse onbthe mainland but somewhere a bit more rural

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What are you trying to achieve with the move? What do you want that you don't have now?

I don't have the totally bleak Mumsnet attitude to this but equally when someone just says 'an island' it's a red flag. I'd seriously consider Orkney for example but even then living in Kirkwall is very different to Papa Westray.

To make a big move always run to something and not away from something.

AgnesMcDoo · 26/07/2026 08:58

ReapersSideKick · 25/07/2026 20:41

i havent been to any islands i was looking at propetties in millport thats close to me

Millport isn’t the worst idea. It’s so close to the mainland and not at all remote.

backformoreofthesame · 26/07/2026 08:46

Sounds like a bigger community with a greater diversity of people is needed not a small tight knit one

and if you need to reinvent yourself / work on that before moving so you are in a better place

Ilovemyshed · 26/07/2026 08:44

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 08:29

why do u call it running away ive had nothing but hasstle here why live somewhere where people dont want anything to do with u and lie about u behind your back to justify what theyre doing its about wanting to live somewhere where i can live my life without getting hasstle im not going to get that here

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But you won’t get that in a tight rural community either. Everyone knows your business and if you don’t fit in you will be miserable.

Original poster

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 08:29

WarthogWoman · 26/07/2026 07:01

It sounds like you are running away rather than running to. Island life is going to involve a lot of being somewhere very quiet but having to rely on close networks in a small group that you might not be able to get away from- I am not sure that is going to work for you? Maybe just a change of scene and some new networks?

why do u call it running away ive had nothing but hasstle here why live somewhere where people dont want anything to do with u and lie about u behind your back to justify what theyre doing its about wanting to live somewhere where i can live my life without getting hasstle im not going to get that here

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Cloverroll · 26/07/2026 08:29

I think just move elsewhere on the mainland. I lived rurally some years ago, albeit in a different country, and the gossip was horrendous. People just made up lies actually, and what was so strange was that they all did it, and yet they all believed every new fairy story the others came out with. The stories unfortunately were mainly about the 'incomers'.

CrustyBread1977 · 26/07/2026 08:28

I agree cities are much more anonymous. SIL grew up on an island and could do NOTHING without the entire place knowing about it, judging, telling her family, etc.

PermanentTemporary · 26/07/2026 08:25

Fair enough to move, sometimes places stop suiting you, but I don’t see why an island. I agree that a city is more anonymous.

Original poster

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 08:24

CurdinHenry · 26/07/2026 04:15

If you struggle to fit in and that bothers you do NOT move to a rural location

its nt the strugglingvto fit in that bothers me is that people cant live and let live i have no quality of life here

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Dilemma999 · 26/07/2026 07:45

You’d be better off moving to a bigger town or city then where you can be a bit more anonymous and find your tribe.

WarthogWoman · 26/07/2026 07:01

It sounds like you are running away rather than running to. Island life is going to involve a lot of being somewhere very quiet but having to rely on close networks in a small group that you might not be able to get away from- I am not sure that is going to work for you? Maybe just a change of scene and some new networks?

soupmaker · 26/07/2026 06:05

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 03:17

i just want to make a fresh start somewhere quiete no drama where i live just now its a big town ive never fitted in situations got worse as times went on with people gossiping and spreading lies to justify theyre treatment of me its impacted on me mentally and cant see things improving

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Well IME having spent the first 18 years of my life living in a very rural location and where I’ve still got family living the last thing it is quiet with no drama. Everyone knows everyone, there is no anonymity. Fitting in is much more difficult in small communities than large towns or cities.

CurdinHenry · 26/07/2026 04:15

If you struggle to fit in and that bothers you do NOT move to a rural location

dancehysterical22 · 26/07/2026 04:13

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Original poster

ReapersSideKick · 26/07/2026 03:17

TheLocust · 25/07/2026 22:40

I did it, moved to Skye and absolutely love it, best move I ever made.

What are your motivations for doing it? What do you hope to achieve?

i just want to make a fresh start somewhere quiete no drama where i live just now its a big town ive never fitted in situations got worse as times went on with people gossiping and spreading lies to justify theyre treatment of me its impacted on me mentally and cant see things improving

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soupmaker · 25/07/2026 22:55

A pal moved to Cumbrae and lives in Millport. They work on the mainland. It suits them because they are not interested in attending the cinema, theatre, gigs, going out to eat often. It’s busy in good weather with lots of day trippers.

TheLocust · 25/07/2026 22:40

I did it, moved to Skye and absolutely love it, best move I ever made.

What are your motivations for doing it? What do you hope to achieve?

PermanentTemporary · 25/07/2026 22:40

I agree if there’s somewhere on the mainland that will offer what you want, I’d do that instead.

Original poster

ReapersSideKick · 25/07/2026 22:36

MrsMoastyToasty · 25/07/2026 20:58

Not me, but BIL moved to Mull. Its OK as long as the ferries are running otherwise you're either stuck on the Island and want to get off. It stuck on the mainland and can't get home. (Mull doesn't have an airport).
Its a 12 hour road (and sea) journey to see each other. We're in SW England.

maybe my best option is too look into moving somewhereelse onbthe mainland but somewhere a bit more rural

OP posts:

MrsMoastyToasty · 25/07/2026 20:58

Not me, but BIL moved to Mull. Its OK as long as the ferries are running otherwise you're either stuck on the Island and want to get off. It stuck on the mainland and can't get home. (Mull doesn't have an airport).
Its a 12 hour road (and sea) journey to see each other. We're in SW England.